Save guides, add subjects and pick up where you left off with your BBC account. Modal verbs are easy to spot because there are so few of them. In addition to must, shall, will, should, would ...

Modal verbs, which express a likelihood, ability, permission, request, order etc., usually help main verbs to state the future. It is the reason they are categorised as auxiliary verbs in the context.

Like with most English words and expressions, they have their own grouping and are called ‘modal verbs’. Modal verb types Modal verbs are either single-word modals or phrasal modals.

Initially, verbs are divided into main verbs and auxiliary verbs. Then auxiliary verbs are divided into modal auxiliary verbs and non-modal auxiliary verbs. In English auxiliary verbs are ...

Learning the correct modal verb to use in a given situation can make a big difference to your Swedish. Photo: Ali Lorestani/TT A common mistake for English speakers just starting out in their Swedish ...

Like with most English words and expressions, they have their own grouping and are called ‘modal verbs’. Modal verb types Modal verbs are either single-word modals or phrasal modals.